UYO, Nigeria, April 5, 2026. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has used his 2026 Easter broadcast to restate his administration’s development priorities, highlighting progress in road construction, rural development, agriculture, tourism, aviation, seaport planning and power sector reform across the state.
In the address delivered from Government House, Uyo, the governor thanked residents for their support and said his administration had continued to pursue its ARISE Agenda since taking office in 2023. He also defended key political decisions taken by the government, saying the state’s alignment with the centre had proved timely in view of unfolding national political developments.
Umo Eno said his administration had embarked on the construction of more than 1,300 kilometres of roads, including inherited projects and roads initiated by his government. He added that the State Executive Council had recently approved an additional 167 kilometres of roads across the state, with some ongoing projects expected to be commissioned during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.
He said every local government area in the state had felt the impact of government intervention through projects such as roads, model primary healthcare centres, model primary schools, feeder roads and hospitals under construction, including one in Ukanafun.
On rural development, the governor said the state government, in collaboration with the Golden Initiative For All, would construct solar-powered Braithwaite storage tank water projects in all 369 wards to improve access to clean water in rural communities. He also said youth-friendly centres were being developed in about 14 local government areas in the first phase to support young people in ICT and creative industries.
The governor said his administration had intensified efforts to drive agricultural growth through the Ibom Model Farm, support for other farms and grants to farmers. He said a N2 billion agricultural grant, farm input support and an equipment leasing company were helping to improve yields. He added that the state had approved N2.5 billion for the purchase of 620,000 oil palm seedlings ahead of the launch of its palm crop programme.
He also disclosed that the government had approved N20 million for ward-level cooperative societies in all 369 wards, with the Deputy Governor heading the structure set up to manage the programme. According to him, the initiative is designed to improve access to funds for rural women and other residents engaged in trading and small-scale economic activities.
On welfare, Umo Eno said the state had paid more than N82 billion out of the N111 billion backlog of gratuities and related entitlements inherited from 2012, and expressed optimism that the balance would be cleared before the end of his first term. He added that 355 ARISE Compassionate Homes had been built and handed over across the state, with a target of reaching 500 units before the end of the tenure.
The governor said Akwa Ibom was also investing in tourism and hospitality infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify the economy. He said the ARISE Palm Resort was expected to be commissioned before the end of the year, while work was ongoing at the Ibom International Hotel, ARISE City Shopping Centre, Ibom International Convention Centre and Ibom International Hospital. Renovation work, he added, was continuing at Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.
He further said the state had taken steps to strengthen its aviation sector following the approval of international status for the Victor Attah International Airport. Umo Eno thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for the approval, and said the government remained committed to making Ibom Air a dominant carrier in Nigeria. He said the airline had acquired four aircraft since his administration came in, with another Airbus expected before the end of the year.
On the Ibom Deep Seaport, the governor said his administration had completed a feasibility study, prepared a fact sheet for prospective investors, constructed an access road to the port and awarded a contract for onshore and offshore geophysical studies. He described the seaport project as a long-term undertaking that required due process and careful groundwork.
In the power sector, Umo Eno said the state had drawn up a roadmap following the Federal Electricity Act 2023 and the power summit held in September last year. He said the government had now established the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Agency, which he described as the institutions required by law to begin the process of taking control of electricity generation and distribution in the state.
He said all 31 local government chairmen had been briefed on plans to provide electricity within the next 12 months, including arrangements for unserved and off-grid rural communities. The governor added that five professionals would soon be named to run the regulatory commission, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
Umo Eno said his administration understood the hardship caused by poor electricity supply and would continue to work towards regular power for residents. He urged citizens not to allow politics to divide the state as political activities begin to gather momentum, and called for a politics of conviction rather than confrontation.
He ended the broadcast with an Easter message of hope, saying the season should inspire faith, love, sacrifice and renewed commitment to building a better future for the state.
